Florida Wedding Photographer

Promoting A Greener World With a Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Wedding Commitment

dawncrane1113@gmail.com (Dawn Crane) — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 17:30:34 GMT

Your wedding doesn't have to impact the environment negatively, here are some eco-friendly wedding ideas to set yours apart.

It is said that if we don't start making sacrifices to live our lives in a more sustainable manor, that we are dooming the future generations to the effects of global warming. We are already seeing the dangerous foot prints that our convenient lives are leaving in our wake. Larger storms, flooding, droughts, earth quakes, tsunamis and so many other powerful environmental catastrophes... all in an attempt for mother nature to warn us that we are tipping scales and change NEEDS to happen before it's too late. It really is a lot to take in and it's incredibly scary but change starts with compromises and influences that begin in the home and grows into a worldwide strive to do better.

If you haven't been able to tell as of now, this is something that weighs heavily on me and I plan on making a difference. Starting with my business, I hope to simply encourage my clients to consider using options for their wedding day that carry a positive impact on this beautiful world we live in. There are so many different aspects to a wedding that even going eco-friendly in one area will make a difference.

There are so many different ways you can help lessen your impact and I'm sure I'll add to this list as I learn more and as the years go on, but here are some things you can consider to "green-up" your wedding.

Consider finding a second hand dress and/or tux rentals. Alterations are far cheaper and we are avoiding importing/creating new materials.
Rent plates, silverware, glasses, etc.. There are several local companies that rent tables and all.
Consider more plant based or vegetarian options for your food options. Livestock is one of the number one contributors to global warming not only through the methane released, but also because valuable forests and woodlands are cleared to make room for our domestic animals.
Instead of having any florals imported, consider locally grown and sourced floral arrangements.
Party favors can be used to encourage spreading eco friendly AND outdoor ideas. I've seen small trees in biodegradable containers, packages of flower seeds, bird seed, locally sourced products, etc..
When considering things like bridal robes, bags, gifts, etc., finding products made in the USA will lessen our importing weight and support our economy and growth.
Instead of using graffiti, drying out flower petals or leaves and hole punching or shredding provides a great alternative with no impact or garbage to pick up.
Center pieces and arbors can be bought second hand at a great rate, search around before investing in "one-time-use" products.

I'm sure there are so many ideas that can be added to this list and if you have any, PLEASE let me know and I'll include it. It's so important that we start making life changes to protect this beautiful world we call home. Anything you are willing to contribute will be so appreciated by not only me, but by the earth itself. Thank you.

We Can Photograph All of Your Wedding Details With Proper Planning

dawncrane1113@gmail.com (Dawn Crane) — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 21:59:33 GMT

With proper preparation and organization, we will be able to photograph all of your wedding details while remaining on schedule without stress!

When we arrive on a wedding day, we get right to work capturing all the details that you have put so much time and effort into planning. Because the entire wedding day is literally scheduled down to the minute, having all of your details together and ready to be captured is absolutely vital to keep the timeline on track. This checklist provides a breakdown of all the details that you may want captured and preserved when we arrive, not everything will apply but this will give you a general idea of what you’ll want ready. If there is something not listed that you would like included, be sure to include it as well as fill us in on any relevance to particular items.

Please have all of your details together in a box or bag ready to hand over to your trusty photographers as soon as we arrive. Typically, florals are delivered right around the same time we plan on arriving, florals will be incorporated in a lot of your details so we tend to capture most of the detail shots where the florals are delivered (unless travel time between locations cannot be sacrificed.) We do our absolute best to capture everything you provide in all different perspectives BUT, I cannot guarantee that we will be able to capture every single detail you provide for a variety of reasons. What I can promise is that we always give 100% and I just know in my heart you will be thrilled with what we provide.

***VERY IMPORTANT*** Be sure to keep wedding rings, ring box, boutonnieres, corsages, ring bearer pillow, etc. and anything else that will ultimately be delivered to the groom’s/groomsmen getting ready area with the initial details you give us. One of us will capture the groom/groomsmen getting ready once we complete capturing the details, we will SAFELY deliver everything to the guys that they need.

Bridal Details

Gown
Bridal Shoes
Bridal Slip
Perfume bottle
Lingerie
Hosiery
Jewelry
Bridal Headpiece/veil
Bridal Gloves
Bridesmaid’s Dresses
Bridesmaid’s Accessories
Bridesmaid’s Shoes
Garters
Gown Preservation
Alterations (extra materials)
Flower Girl Dress
*Ring Bearer Outfit
*Ring Box
Vows
Flower Girl Baskets
*Ring Bearer Pillow
Napkins
*Wedding Bands
Engagement Ring
Bridal Bouquet
Bridesmaids Bouquet
*Corsages (mother of the bride. Mother of the groom, father of bride, father of groom, grandparents, special guests)
*Boutonnieres
Flower crown/Hair Flowers
Flower Girl Flowers
Bridesmaids gifts

Stationary to consider

Invitations
Ceremony Program
Save The Date Cards
Postage
Newspaper Announcement
Thank You Notes
Wedding Programs
Marriage License

Honeymoon details to consider

Airline Tickets
Hotel Accommodations
Passports
Currency

Grooms/Groomsmen Details can stay at the Groom’s getting ready location

Groom’s Tux/Outfit
Groomsmen Tux/Outfit
Cologne
Groomsmen gifts
Socks
Watch
Tie/Bowtie
Shoes
Cufflinks
Belt

*Details that need to go to the groom can be delivered after capturing details by the photographer that goes to capture the Groom/groomsmen getting ready.

No Worries, I'm a Professional Wedding Photographer

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 17:48:00 GMT

New locations or venues should NOT be a problem for a wedding photographer.

From time to time, I'm asked if I've captured images in a specific location or venue before, the answer is not always going to be " yes. " There are SO many venues and locations available that there is a good possibility I have never been there and that is TOTALLY OKAY! Maybe I’ve been to your venue and maybe I haven’t.... no matter what though, I'll capture your memories as you have always dreamed<3.

This must be a scary thought for a couple! ….. “what if our photographer doesn’t know where we should be standing,” or “they don’t know anything about our venue, how are we going to get good pictures,” etc.. These are perfectly logical thoughts! This is your wedding day, there is literally no recreating your wedding images or trying again later. There is only ONE chance for the shot and THAT is why it’s so important for you to know and TRUST your wedding photographer and their abilities. Never capturing memories at a venue before does NOT put me at a disadvantage because I know exactly what I’m looking for… and I know exactly what to avoid. The most valuable expertise I have and the reason my images are so consistent is because of my thorough understanding of light.

When I arrive at a location for the first time, I have a very specific set of rules I follow for each obstacle I’m presented with, no matter what! Honestly, planning out where you are going to take your pictures in advance is just about as reliable as your meteorologist's predictions two weeks out, they are RARELY accurate and can you leave you a little bummed when it “rains on your parade.” Let me give you the first example that pops to mind… on an overcast day, my clients are facing where the sun IS in the sky but on a sunny day, I’d have you facing away from the sun. That is literally “doing a 180” but still provides the consistency I'm after. There is certainly more complexity to my “madness” but the bottom line is that I’m extremely confident in my knowledge and abilities to provide stunning and CONSISTENT images under pressure, in new environments and no matter what the elements might have in store for your wedding day.

Advantages of a Secondary Wedding Photographer

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 21:01:42 GMT

Having a Second Photographer for Your Wedding Will Help Achieve Your Dream Gallery!

You have put a LOT of investment into every aspect of your day and it's my responsibility, as your wedding photographer, to capture everything you created in a way that you have only dreamed. This is certainly possible for one person to do, but isn't everything better when two great minds think alike? Some wedding photographers believe a second shooter should be present if the wedding requires one but isn't necessary, I personally have the thought process of "why WOULDN'T you want more variety to your gallery!?!"

Do you NEED a second shooter for your wedding?.... Nope
Do I suggest one?... 110%, ABSOLUTELY!

All of my packages include a second shooter for multiple reasons but the bottom line is that a (properly trained and educated) second shooter benefits everyone! These images below were from the same moment, with two places I could NOT be in at the same time. Both of these images were included in this gallery delivery AND they look consistent... almost like they were taken with the same camera at the same moment.

Two photographers can't just magically capture an image that looks consistent, it takes a lot of work on the back end too. Because of this, I can't stress enough how important it is to request to view galleries from your potential wedding photographer. Make sure you love how that professional "visually tells" a story, that it flows beautifully and you are captivated. Ahead of hiring ANY professional, LOVE their work and what they provide as a whole! DO. YOUR. RESEARCH.

There are SOOO many reasons a second photographer will be to your advantage, I know my secondary photographer* has been a life-saver on more than one occasion! Though my "why-you-need-a-second" list could go on forever, these are just a few of the major reasons I've made the transition from being a lone-wolf wedding photographer, to an extremely compatible partnership that captures marvelous memories you'll cherish endlessly.

1.) When I bring a second shooter, I am already in love with what they do. I KNOW they are more than capable to capture a unique, artistic perspective I will love displaying with mine. How they see the world is something I want to include in your gallery because my couples deserve the BEST! Your gallery will literally have double the variety and most likely, quite a few extra photos too ;) .

2.) No matter how efficient and knowledgable I am, I simply cannot be in two places at the same time. The first and most relatable example is a "first-look." Whether it be a private "first-look" or in front of everyone at an alter, capturing each other's initial and emotional expression is more attainable with a second shooter.

3.) One of the most valuable things to have on your wedding day is time. We get more time with the bride or groom because we are able to "divide & conquer." We split up during the getting ready part of the day giving us more time with each individual and their wedding parties. We are also able to capture all of the details prior to guests arriving with double the perspective and variety.

4.) Handling a wedding dress is slightly terrifying as it is, but the thought of not having a second set of ( SUPER CLEAN) hands is one I can't fathom anymore. There has never been a "back up wedding dress" for any of the weddings I have captured, your dress is SPECIAL! Though I probably shouldn't share by "near disaster," a dress I was capturing this last fall attempted to fly off the door it was hanging on when a huge gust of wind hit. It's a good thing we kind of anticipated the wind, this dress would have been a goner(probably just a few leaves but I'm dramatic) had my extremely swift and protective assistant not been present to save the day!

5.) If I miss the shot, they will not. If they miss the shot, I will not. I like to call it "picture security."

6.) There is a lot of chaos on a wedding day and things get overlooked, it's okay and totally normal. Having a second shooter is an added 'set of legs' to grab "the forgotten rings downstairs," or "find mom to pin the boutonnière." This one kind of ties back in with time too, potential memories are lost when we accidentally overlook 'little things' and have to back-track.

7.) My second shooter is a tremendous help to ME! Grabbing the vehicle, setting up lighting, organizing family for formal photos, capturing photos where I can't be, helping carry gear, scoping for locations, etc.. There are SO many things that my second shooter helps me out with, I could probably go on forever!

You might have questions or concerns about a second shooter being there which is totally understandable. Here's a quick break down with some of the most common concerns my couples have when including a second shooter.

"My event is small, do I really need a second shooter?" You don't NEED one, but there are so many benefits(listed above) to your gallery if you do despite the size of your event.
"Won't they get in the way?" NOT. AT. ALL. My second shooters are experienced in the wedding industry, trained and understand their obligation to blend in.
"The pictures won't have the same consistency.." This is honestly one of the hardest parts of having a secondary shooter, they might not shoot with Canon like me, every type of camera and lens sees color slightly differently.** There are two reasons NOT to worry about this. First, my secondary photographers shoot in full manual like myself, we are able to communicate settings to maintain consistency. Second, I have invested an incredible amount of time learning subtle differences that need to be adjusted with editing to have a consistent gallery, trust my skills.
"I don't want to deal with more than one photographer, I already know you." You don't have to! You don't have to communicate with them at all other than brief interactions through your wedding day. They give me all of their captured memories and I make them my own to deliver you an amazing gallery that tells the story of your day.

In my opinion, there really is no way to go wrong with having a second shooter! They are one of the most powerful tools(along with an engagement session and a few other t ools ) that will help transform a simple gallery into something incredible, a walk down memory lane. I will utilize a second photographer for every wedding I capture for the rest of my days!

*A good friend and a fellow photographer, Kim is my go-to second shooter and is scheduled with me most of my weddings. Because Kim owns and operates her own business capturing motherhood and family photography (Restless Photography,) she's not always readily available. Rest assured though, I work with some of the most talented minds in the industry and your second shooter will be someone who's work I LOVE and they will be perfectly capable of filling Kim's shoes. I'll notify you who is seconding with me long before your wedding. :D
**You might not know! - I typically shoot with three different lenses but use the same camera body during a wedding. This means I have three, slightly different, small "galleries" to edit within each and every part of your wedding day to present you with a consistent and stunning gallery.

Family Formal List Assistance

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:02:50 GMT

Putting together your family photo list for your wedding's formal photography.

Often during my initial chat or phone call with potential clients, we discuss expectations for the day and I typically hear the same "we want to get those over with as quick as possible," or "we don't want to do them but kind of have to" response about formal photos. Trust me when I say, they are not my favorite part of the day either, formal photos lack the natural look I strive for when capturing memories. With all that being said, I highly encourage family and friend "formals" for every wedding, but that does not mean it has to be painful. With a little planning in advance, we can knock them "Grandma-wall-pictures" (sorry Grannies, it's totally okay to love your formal pictures) out of the way quickly and effortlessly. We can keep family formals around twenty minutes with organization in advance.

Twenty minutes is not a lot of time, but it is 100% reasonable when approached in my tried-and-true method (steps below.) There are a few exceptions that I would like to point out first that may or may not apply to your formal list but are very important to take into consideration.

The first thing you want to consider is when you are doing your formal photos. If you plan on doing a first-look, you could eliminate bride/groom photos and immediate family formals such as parents or siblings before the ceremony even begins. This would split your list making into two separate tasks but uses time the most effectively. If you are planning a traditional approach of seeing each other for the first time at the ceremony, all of your formals will be after the ceremony(approximately twenty minutes for friends and family followed by bridal party and bride/groom photos.)

The next thing you want to consider for your list is if there are any members in your group that may have limitations. An example would be an elderly grandparent or a disabled family member that would struggle to stand for extended periods of time or younger children who may have limitations with their patience. In these situations, I suggest getting all of the pictures you have them included in done first so they can proceed to comfort.

Thirdly, if you have a very large family and more than the suggested photo groupings(explained below,) I suggest saving some of the extended family shots until the reception so that family portrait time will not interfere with your romantic portraits or keep your guests waiting at the reception.

Lastly, please inform me of any family conflict so that we can avoid any awkward interactions during family photos. This can be family members that might not get along and/or may not want to be grouped with certain family members. It happens, it's okay, just let me know so I'm not out of the "evil glare" loop.

Each formal list should be composed of no more than ten groupings and within each grouping, you can have more than one shot. A grouping would cover multiple members such as "parents," "grandparents," "siblings," etc.. Please include names so that I can call family members by their first name as we organize the portraits. ALSO, please specify if there are STEP PARENTS and STEP SIBLINGS involved in portraits.

For example:

1. Bride and groom with parents.

Bride's-(Kevin, Brenda, Spencer, Austin)
Groom's-(Kevin, Brenda, Joey, Peggy)
All together-(Kevin, Brenda, Spencer, Austin, Joey, Peggy)

2. Bride and Groom with grandparents.

Bride's-(names)
Groom's-(names)

3. Bride and Groom with siblings.

Groom's-(names)

.....

It helps that everyone that is to be included in pictures is aware so they don't disappear, I've seen it happen and it takes time to find people. This really should be a smooth and easy process, teamwork makes the dream work! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about your wedding list, I'm here to help.

Meg & Ben || A Waterford, Vermont Wedding

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 18:02:47 GMT

A Romantic and Rustic Barn Wedding at Blissful Dragon Farm || June 15th, 2019

This love story has some chapters not visible to the naked eye but I have to warn you, some "happily ever afters" are tainted with scars that are worn painfully proud. Rocked me to my inner core, this wedding gave me an immediate heartfelt connection that I will cherish forever. This is just a tid-bit, please c lick here to view all of the photo documentation from their wedding day.

This is the dream team that brought Meg & Ben's Manchester, Vermont Wedding to a reality!

venue: Blissful Dragon Farm
florals: Artistic Gardens
attire: Madeleine's Daughter Bridal
hair & makeup: Fresh Salon & Day Spa
catering: Three Ponds Restaurant
beverages: The Whiskey Den
cake: Bentley's Bakery
photography: Trace Elements Photography by Dawn Crane

Important Information For The Smoothest Wedding Photography

Sat, 27 Jul 2019 01:41:59 GMT

From the little things to the big things in your life, your wedding photographer wants to know!

I could easily create a list of 100 things that I would like to know about your story before your wedding but the truth is, your time is valuable as is mine. You have enough to worry about planning the wedding in the final weeks prior to your monumental day that you've been dreaming about. There are some easily achievable goals that will allow your day to go as smoothly as possible (at least from this photographers perspective) and allow you and your future spouse to just RELAX and wallow in the day that represents a new and beautiful chapter in your life.

First and foremost, the most valuable way you can invest your time to allow for smooth wedding photography is by having an engagement session with me. I like to consider engagement sessions kind of like a crash course, you learn a lot about how I work and about expectations from both ends. From the engagement session until your wedding day, I promise you will feel so confident being able to "perfect" what we learned in the engagement session and we have the added benefit of knowing what worked for you and what you love about your pictures.

Before we take any pictures, we will have a discussion about anything I should know about you. For example , maybe you have a scar that you would rather not be present in pictures(when possible) or if you are like me and have a "good side." Also!!!! I get really excited sometimes when making magic with my camera that I sometimes forget and need a gentle reminder, it is TOTALLY okay!

Warn your guests ahead of time that you have hired a professional and you would like for them to simply enjoy the ceremony, UNPLUGGED . There are no second chances with a ceremony so that friend or family member that takes the "cell phone pic" is going to be in your forever pictures and there is nothing I can do to fix that.

Consider your formal photo list in advance. This is another area that it is important that I am filled in on any "family drama" or "she doesn't want to be near him"and visa versa. We all know that family drama happens but there is no need to throw fuel on fire, help me out with a prior warning and we can keep the stress levels down.

Some of your details may have a much larger value than a dollar sign but without you filling me in, that detail may not get the justice it deserves. I always do my best to capture everything that completes your wedding day but lets be honest, there can be a LOT of details that will be captured but some deserve a little more love and appreciation.

The DJ can make or break opportunities for me to capture important moments like the first dance, father/daughter dance, mother/son dance, cake cutting, etc. It is extremely important that the DJ knows that communication is expected between us and will allow your photos to transition into a full love story. This is typically not a problem because I'm very attentive but I occasionally get pulled in different directions by family and friends wanting pictures as well.

There is some debate on when the vendors get to eat. Yes, we get a meal and we LOVE it but from a photographers perspective, I should eat when you eat. Why you ask!? Well, taking pictures of people eating is not cute so it makes for a perfect time to scarf down some yummy food.

Just trust me. Wedding photography is my passion and I have invested countless hours on education, training, experience and learning the hard way. Some of our pictures will take you out of your comfort zone but if you trust me, you will LOVE the final result, I promise!

Your wedding is going to be amazing, just remember to take a breath before letting stress take over. Please, be honest with me if there is anything you are uncomfortable with or would rather avoid, I am 110% supportive of changing gears and trying something else(in fact, this is typically when the magic begins.) Breathe deep and KNOW , it is okay to be perfectly imperfect.

Phelan & Yvette // Ragged Mountain Resort

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 19:13:27 GMT

A Ragged Mountain Resort Wedding in Danbury, NH

Phelan and Yvette were married at Ragged Mountain Resort on June 1st, 2019. Fate is what brought Yvette and Phelan together, Seoul mates. That's not a typo and I’ll tell you why… Phelan is a New Hampshire native and accepted a teaching position in Korea after graduating. Yvette is a Malaysian native, educated in Perth, Australia and was on assignment in Korea. Both of them traveling often, they happened to met in Seoul , Korea. Their relationship is a clear testament to no matter what, you will end up exactly where you are meant to be. To view the full gallery and story about Phelan and Yvette, check out my other blog post here .

It takes a dedicated team to help with a wedding, check out these awesome vendors that made Phelan and Yvette's day a success!

Overlooked Tips For Your Wedding Day

Thu, 13 Jun 2019 16:29:45 GMT

Wedding photography tips that you might not think or know about to help create beautiful images.

Just imagine, you're a bride or groom getting ready on your wedding day and you've found yourself wondering what you may have forgot, not prepared for or over looked and that 100% normal . Honestly, I may not be able to help you remember if you packed your shoes or if you need to "touch up(aka write)" your vowels but I can help you out with a couple of other things that will help your day go smoothly when it comes from a photographer's (and your picture's) perspective.

1. Make sure there is natural light in the room where the bride will be getting ready (window light.) Natural light tends to be more flattering and natural for how the colors will look in your image.

2. Keep the area near the window free of trash, bags, snacks, etc. The window area is where the bride will be putting on her dress and having bridal shots done. (We don’t need any water bottles in our bridal portraits:).

3. If possible, try to have all bridal details together before the photographer arrives. (Dress, jewelry, shoes, bouquet, garter, veil, etc) it will make the detail shots move more efficiently and you are more likely to remember everything! Don't forget to have your rings cleaned and polished before the wedding, my camera finds everything.

4. It may sounds silly but allow more time than you think you need to get ready, it’s better to be safe than RUSHED! Plus, we will have more time to do your formal, bridal and couples images(if you are doing a first look.)

5. Lastly and most importantly, relax and have fun! You’re getting MARRIED!!

The Homefront Battle

Fri, 03 May 2019 02:03:36 GMT

Deployments are hard for everyone, especially for the ones suffering in silence.

As a professional, I’m not sure putting feelings out there is the best idea but I feel it represents a part of who I am and you should know about it. My husband has been deployed for the last eleven months and I get goosebumps every time I think about how our homecoming hug is upon the horizon! BUT- a deployment sucks for everyone involved. Every once in a while, I tend to feel sorry for myself. Through these hazy moments, I spot the sobering reality, he has it worse. Much worse. The men and women defending this great country of ours are expected to visit hell and then come back unscathed?

He has watched his little boy learn something new everyday, they sure are sponges at two. His "little" girl turned into a teenager, grew two shoe sizes and almost four inches in height. His wife has begged and pleaded for him to just be safe and come home, like it's totally in his control or something. He has watched her stress, overwhelm and get frustrated while completely helpless. Sand is always readily available in his living quarters whereas waters almost always in a shortage. Squeezing little naps in between the noise, chaos and possible emergency rescue has become his favorite pastime followed by visiting the gym. Twice a day. Because there is literally nothing else to do while they wait for the next emergency. He has been pushed to the limits emotionally and physically on a regular basis since he left. Eleven months ago. The option to decline a specific job or duty is nonexistent. It's no wonder the ones defending us, need some defending of their own.

Truth is, I could go on forever. I know there are men and woman out there fighting the "good fight" that have it much worse than my husband. My point is that we need to be kinder to people, their battle just may still be in there. They are no longer on enemy grounds but enemy grounds has come home in them. Veteran suicide rate is astronomical. The VA released a study in 2013 that found that approximately 22 veterans take their life a day. That is one life lost to the shady character riding shotgun every 65 minutes. Read that statistic again. Staggering and heart wrenching at the same time, isn't it? Mental health gets the blind eye far to often and there needs to be more awareness. Awareness creates change. Or at least I hope.

If you are struggling anywhere in your life, please don't let a moment turn into an eternity. It's not worth it because there IS love everywhere, you just have to be open to it. Here are some options if you or someone you know needs help!

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Veterans Crisis Line

Other ways to get involved

Lastly,

Call me . Seriously, I don't care if we've never met; I care about you, your life and your future.

The military life is a hard one and can really take a toll on a family but I'm here to tell you that you can do it. If you are somewhere out there struggling, just know that you are a rock star. It's okay to take a moment to yourself and ugly cry(and eat all the ice cream in the closet to hide from the kids,) so long as you catch your breath and keep trucking on. Show kindness every chance you get because it damn sure does a lot more for the soul than hate. Also, if you are snuggled up in a warm, clean bed next to someone you love, suck ALL that love in. Also, please take a moment to remember the ones who are struggling and believe they are alone. They are out there, suffering in silence.

"First Look" Pros & Cons

Wed, 17 Apr 2019 17:35:35 GMT

There are both pros and cons of a first look before the ceremony, sometimes a little education on the topic can help you decide what is best for you.

If you are tossing around the idea of whether you should do a first look or not, I'm hoping these tid-bits will help you decide. There are pros and cons both approaches so when push comes to shove, go with what fits your emotions and what you feel in your heart. At the end of the day, my personal opinion weighs heavily toward a first look. A first look utilizes the time you have allotted for your wedding day the most effectively (at least from this photographer's perspective.)

First of all, what is a "first look?"
A first look is simply allowing your future husband or wife see you all "dolled up" prior to the ceremony. There are pros and cons to both sides of the spectrum but it is ultimately up to you and your preference. After the following pros and cons of having a first look, I hope you can decide which route would be best for your vision.

Pros:

First and foremost, you get to grab, hug, kiss, love and appreciate your future husband or wife without interruptions from guests after the ceremony, there is rarely time to slow down after the ceremony.
All of your "bride & groom" formal images can be captured before the ceremony, limiting distractions and allowing you to visit with your guests quicker and longer. You can also enjoy cocktail hour earlier because your bride and groom images have been captured prior to the ceremony.
There is a lot more control and flexibility as far as location and lighting, ceremonies don't always have this luxury.
Hair and make up is FRESH and not yet impacted by potential windy, hot or humid conditions.
The main focus when the bride enters the ceremonial location can be on the bride and the reactions of the guests to her grand entry.
If you are even remotely emotional like I can be, a First Look gives you the opportunity to become a blubbering mess in front of your awaiting spouse and a few others(the photographer and videographer are the only ones really required) instead of losing it in front of all your guests. You also get an opportunity to recompose(or re-apply if you are the bride!)
Can ease any remaining nerves or jitters before walking down the isle.

Cons:

You have to plan on starting your day earlier to allow enough time for getting ready, the first look and the formal images.
That magical, first glimpse will not be shared with your guests(this one is more neutral, just depends on your preference.)
May increase nerves as the videographer(if you have one) and myself will be closer to you than if we had captured the first look at the alter.
There has to be a separate space available out of eyesight of the guests that can be utilized for the first look.

There is no right or wrong decision. Whether you chose to do a first look or not is absolutely between your fiance and you. If your fiance and you cannot come to an agreement(I promise it won't be the last time you can't agree on something,) talk to your photographer about some alternative options or ideas that can work for both of you such as a "first touch" or sharing of an item or love note(like Alyssa's fiance did right before their ceremony pictured above.) Feel free to reach out if you have any questions, suggestions or just want to talk a little more about the topic, I'm always happy to help. :D

Much love friends!

-Dawn

10 Tips to the Perfect Engagement Attire

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 20:43:53 GMT

Helpful tips to help you choose the perfect outfits for your engagement session.

First of all, I'm SUPER excited to meet all of my couples BUT, I ideally hope we are meeting at our engagement session. An engagement session allows us to really get to know one another AND it allows both of you to get familiar with the way that I work! If you are struggling with what you are going to wear, you are NOT alone. I always get the question "what should I wear?" Well, I'm here to help! :D Here are ten important and helpful tips to ensure you are dressed your best for your engagement session.

Most couples chose to have two outfits for their engagement session. One outfit is normally on the dressier side and one outfit is more relaxed and casual. The more outfits you have, the fewer portraits you’ll receive but you will have more variety in your portraits. Plan on wearing your dressier outfit first, I'll tell you why at our session. ; )
Coordinating doesn’t mean “matching”. Wearing the same color in a different shade is actually more ideal than trying to find the EXACT color blue! Coordinate clothing colors that compliment each other and are comfortable. Pick similar tones and colors. (For example, neons stand out against pastels, not a good combination.) Lay out the outfits together to see if they look nice together.
Try to avoid clothing with focal points such as texts, logos, or images.
If one of you is wearing something with a lot of color and pattern, sometimes it’s best to have the other person wear a neutral to tone it down a bit.
Make sure you are equal when it comes to how formal your attire is. A bride's flowing skirt would not pair well with a grooms khaki shorts and v-neck.
Please be true to yourself and wear something that is unique to you, that represents you. Please, show it off! Some of my favorite engagement shoots have incorporated a couple’s own style!
If you’re wearing plaid or other patterns, the bigger the better!! Reason being, larger plaid photographs better than tiny little-checkered patterns. It would be better to have a solid dress shirt than a shirt with teeny tiny patterns.
Accessorize! Scarves, necklaces, belts…. I love them all! They can add so much to an outfit AND it gives you something to hold onto if you don’t have long hair!
Wear attire that is flattering to your figure and your skin tone. It seems like common sense but I’m guilty of this too. We all know that everyone has certain things that look GREAT on them and certain things that are made for someone else. For example … I’m pale… because I’m a redhead. I know that’s never going to change… and because of that, I also know that wearing a strapless, pale yellow sundress for a portrait session is NOT IDEAL! I also know that I personally never LOVE the way I look in pictures in sleeveless shirts. I’m fine with my arms…. but I just don’t like that look! Truth is, if you don’t like the way you look in stripes on a normal, day-to-day basis, you’re still not going to love the way you look in your images. If you’re self conscious about your legs, don’t wear a mini-skirt. If you’re self-conscious about your arms, it’s probably not smart to wear a tank top. Bottom line, make sure you wear something that you’re comfortable in. Despite me teaching you to pose in flattering ways, you’ll love your images way more if you wear an outfit that you’re comfortable and CONFIDENT in(confidence shows!!)
If you want extra ROMANTIC images, consider wearing something long and FLOWY! Also, light & neutral colors allow images to appear more light and airy no matter what the weather is like!
Don’t over think it!

That last one might seem a little cliche but it's very true. I hope these tips help you narrow down your outfits but I'm always happy to help!

If you have any other questions about wardrobe or ANYTHING else, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm very much looking forward to our session and can't wait to meet you!

All the best!

-Dawn

The (Almost) Final Product

Wed, 20 Mar 2019 01:02:12 GMT

Our St. Johnsbury home is ready for living!

I can come up with 1 million reasons why I am not good at blogging or keeping up with my social media but I think it all comes down to one thing; I'm putting myself out there and I'm not always comfortable with that. I'm going to do my damnedest to keep up on things this time, I want you all to hold me accountable if I don't! Lovers of my blog deserve to see the finished renovation on our home so I'm going to start there. IF you are just joining me on this journey, you'll have to read my prior blog posts to know that we've been hard at work on our home for what seems like FOREVER. Truth be told, I don't think its ever "all done" when you are taking on a full gut job of your home. My amazing in-laws built their home and I think my mother-in-law is still a little bitter about waiting ten years for cabinets, I don't blame her though! My talented father-in-law was making them and that takes a sacrifice of time that is needed everywhere. Needless to say, I was NOT going to ask my husband to make ours.

Despite not blogging what was happening on the house(I've been pretty busy living in it lately,) I still documented it. I'm displaying all the images in a different way this time, I found something that gives better credit to the magnitude of our project. As with everything, we seemed to hit one problem after another and we were forced to find solutions, sometimes in a very creative way. This project has taught me so much over the last three years but most importantly, it taught me that I really love putting the work into the "good stuff." I cherish literally every piece of wood in our home, I can pinpoint where almost all of it came from. I hope you all enjoy this journey as much as we have, I'm so glad you all joined us on this adventure. As time goes on, I'll be posting further details on some of these challenging projects. Click here to check out all the images from this project!

Home Renovation Update

Tue, 11 Jul 2017 13:26:41 GMT

Ooh boy! What a crunch we have been on to get everything done in this house the past couple months! I know its been a while since I have updated, the guys both took the Winter off and our project hit a stand still... at least for a little bit. Things have been moving really quickly as of lately, a lot of the remaining work has been completed by contractors. With my persistence, they have remained (ALMOST completely) on schedule.

Both Paul and Stan worked hard to get the plumbing in the house and they sure did a great job! Once the plumbing was completed, it was time for the electrical to be installed. We decided to hire an electrician and we are so glad we did. Ray Gendron of Power Solutions came out to the house and did an outstanding job bringing our house up to code and installing safe, updated wires throughout. Turns out, wires are not supposed to be connected to the top of the house. So, under the ground they went. With the help of the Heath brothers, we had a trench not only dug to the house for our electric, but also from the house to the barn so it will have electric.

Mr. Gendron, hard at work on our electrical.

While Ray was hard at work installing our electrical, Paul and Stan worked to get our French and sliding doors installed. What a difference the doors made! So much light coming in, it looks so much larger.

Once all the electrical wires were installed, our house was ready for heating and AC. We decided to get an air handler that distributes AC and heat for the upstairs and downstairs, while also maintaining the humidity levels. Roy Refrigeration was wonderful in finding the best solution to run all of their ducting. Having an exposed ceiling down stairs limits the range of where they can run their ducting.

Last, but most certainly not least, we now have spray foam insulation. What a mess that stuff can make, but Buddy and his crew from New England Spray Foam did a wonderful job making sure all of our posts and beams were covered well. They made quick work of our home, spending more time wrapping everything in plastic than they did actually spraying.

Buddy from New England Spray Foam is pictured below.

As our house continues to come together, I will continue to keep you updated. The stair installation should be beginning very soon. Dry wall is in progress(YAY,) kitchen is going to be put together soon and all the other home "puzzle pieces" are coming together. Thank you to everyone who has supported, enjoyed, shared and loved this project as much as I have. We are in the final stages of a project that seemed like it was never going to end and I am beyond excited to be going home soon!

Let me tell you about them Kinsellas

Wed, 02 Nov 2016 01:11:05 GMT

Paul & Kate Kinsella tied the knot TWO years ago, heres their story!

Going through the archives of this kick@$$ couples special day, I couldn't help but crack a beer. NOT because it was stressful or anything along those lines, but because going through these wonderful memories makes me wish I was closer to crack a brewski with these awesome people for their second anniversary. Paul & Kate's special day took place on November 1st, 2014. TWO YEARS already! I still remember the details of their day like it was yesterday. Paul & Kate, this ones for you.

Let me start with Kate. Kate and I worked together where we eventually became great friends. Kate was(and still is) a beautiful ball of outgoing energy. Singing and dancing behind the bar with so much positive energy, her laughter was EXTREMELY contagious! I loved every moment I worked with Kate despite how frustrating our work place could be(hint: it rhymes with dappledees.)

When Paul and Kate started dating, I believe he fit in her life as perfectly as a nicely fit pair of Wrangler jeans ;P. Oh boy, the way she lit up when she spoke of him... Pure. Magical. Love. There is no greater feeling than seeing pure joy like that expressed by Kate.

It started with a Facebook post. "Does anyone know of a good wedding photographer?" I about came unGLUED commenting to Kate that I had just got my degree in photography and I would LOVE to capture her's and Paul's special day! What felt like hours had actually only been minutes when Kate messaged me. She wanted ME to be her photographer(EEEEKKKKKK! I'm glad she responded quickly, I would have probably harassed her.) How lucky was I to have the opportunity to preserve their special day!

Their wedding was to take place at Carolina Colours in New Bern, North Carolina. When the day came, it was a crummy, rainy day. I was so worried the out-door ceremony was going to have to be moved inside.... But Mother Nature knew better. About twenty minutes before the ceremony, the rain clouds scurried off. Out came the bluest and truest sky with big, white, puffy clouds.

The ceremony was gorgeous with family and friends surrounding. The weather didn't bother to mess with the ceremony or our pictures after! It was quite magical how the weather chose not to rain on them, but instead waited to return when everyone was inside for the reception.

The tables and decor followed suit with the purples Kate chose for her colors. Of course Kate, of all people, had a Photo Booth! What a great idea for the guests to dress with the goofy attire and just be silly! It totally fits Paul and Kate! They also passed around a couple disposable cameras for their guests to take their own shots. I haven't had the privilege of seeing them, but I'm sure there are some AMAZING candid shots there!

At the end of the reception, Kate left the building in typical 'Kate fashion.' Pink wig, giant beard and guns blazing! If this doesn't give you a sense of how awesome this woman is, I don't know what will.

All in all, their day was beautiful. But whats more than that, is that they really are beautiful together. Paul and Kate together are an unstoppable team. They really have the "it" factor. I was beyond fortunate to have such a great opportunity to capture their wedding day. You both are truly incredible people that I'm very lucky to know. Happy Anniversary guys, this brews for you. Cheers. :D

Hello, Second Floor!

Tue, 25 Oct 2016 18:09:08 GMT

The structure of our second floor is almost completed.

To start- I want to throw a HUGE thank you to everyone out there who has shared this process or has commented with your kind thoughts and appreciation. If you are just joining our journey along this renovation project, be sure to start at the beginning to fully appreciate this home as much as we do. If you want to make sure you have read each step along the way, check out the full blog . If you are up to speed, I owe you an explanation of the plan with the home, probably should have given one earlier! Above, you can see we have extended the second floor out to match the first floor. This turned our bedroom into a 'Master' bedroom. We are also adding two bathrooms(on the right.) One will be for the kids, the other will be a master bathroom (!!!!!!!!! :D)

There will be a sliding glass door in the large opening that will lead out to a 'future' balcony/wood shed. The placement of the windows downstairs are most likely going to be moved, but thats pending the kitchen layout. The framing pictured above was built for two windows, this was a miscommunication between the Paul and myself. I felt terrible saying anything considering how much work went into it, but we found a great compromise we were both happy with. On the front side of our future bedroom, there will be a large picture window with two opening windows on the sides.

The beams through our bedroom will remain exposed and will have a vaulted ceiling. This house has thrown its challenges at the guys. The walls they are building on are not always level or even, so they are forced to fix these problems before continuing. Paul also decided to get in a small tuft with the nail gun... needless to say, the nail gun shot one right through his finger. He was fortunate he didn't have to go to the hospital though, it was just like a large piercing. When he first called to tell me he put a nail through his finger, my immediate reaction was "did you get a picture?" He did not... so here is the after math. *WARNING, the following image is not very graphic.. :P

The last step in this process was documenting it through time lapse. We had the camera out for several days, only missing the ones the weather didn't cooperate. Overall, I'm happy with how well it turned out despite the inconsistent vantage points.

The guys are going to continue working on the house until Paul leaves in November for Army training and Stan leaves to go to Florida for the Winter. They both should be back towards March, but things will be paused in the mean time. I'm going to have some things done while they are gone if the house is ready such as insulation, roofing and drywall. Fingers crossed the weather cooperates enough to let them get to a good stopping point. As always, thank you everyone for the support on this project. To see all the images of the upstairs structure and framing, click here.

Celebrating This Defective Beauty

Tue, 04 Oct 2016 18:57:32 GMT

Mother nature gave us a beautiful defective tree that will live on forever in our home.

Originally, this tree was destined to just rot away. It really didn't serve a good purpose, its defect made it a terrible option for lumber because it would just crack and split. I had no idea Stan & Paul even cut this beauty down, but I understand their reasoning for doing so; this tree should not reproduce as it could pass on its unhealthy genetics. Makes sense. Stan explained this tree perfectly, "It is a result of genetic variation. The grain grew in a spiral or helix pattern rather than straight. It also has brashness or cracking instead of being totally solid. The ridges are its attempt to heal itself from the cracking. When we initially saw this tree I recommended just cutting it and leaving it to rot, since it wouldn't be good for traditional lumber. But then ‪Paul remembered it when we were looking for a large post for the stairs. After peeling some of the bark, we discovered more of the beauty. I am tempted to draw a parallel with human variations such as skin color or sexual orientation. Often our initial reaction is to shun whereas it is wiser to celebrate the beauty."

He explained this perfectly. Celebrating this beauty is exactly what we intend to do in our home forever. This tree will be the center of our rounded staircase. Removing the bark was a large chore in itself. The bark grew in the same spiral the tree had, which meant we had to turn the tree as we removed the bark in strips. It took hammers, pry bars and some brutal, relentless persuasion, but we got the job done!

While we were removing the bark, we noticed imperfections in the tree from bugs. After removing most of the bark, we found some of the bugs closer to the top. It ultimately adds more character to the tree, but I'm still curious to know what in the heck these bugs are?!?! Does anyone have any idea? If you do, PLEASE leave it in the comments, I really want to know! Thank you in advance!

The tree is EXTREMELY heavy, so we had a crane come in to put it in place. We contemplated having like ten guys come over to put it in place... but we quickly realized that unless we had Hulk, Thor, Iron Man and a bunch of their strong friends, putting that tree in place by hand was not going to be an option. The breezy day made me very nervous about the possibility the tree was going to take out the rafters the guys had just finished constructing. Paul was giving directions from where the tree was supposed to be placed while Stan relayed them out the window to the crane operator. The tree swayed back and forth about two to three feet, narrowing the gap between the rafters exponentially. After some very careful navigation, the tree slid right between the rafters and was lowered into place. It was perfect! You can view the time lapse of the crane putting the tree in place below, but if you want to check out the full length time lapse, click here.

This image below shows both the newly placed tree(closest) that will be in the center of our stairs, as well as the top of that same tree(background) that will go through our island in the kitchen. Please disregard the air compressor, I'm not allowed to move things around in the their work zone(for good reason too, I always remove things I don't want in the pictures as a good photographer should :D.)

To check out all of the images of the tree & crane process, click here . Now that the tree is in place, they can put in the rest of the plank flooring to get ready for the upstairs framing. Sadly, the roofing can't be done until December, but we will be ready for the roofers when they come. Continued support and shares are always appreciated, it really has been amazing. To me, this project is worth documenting. Be sure to like my Facebook page for continued progress on the home, as well as to support my small business which I'm growing here in St J.

First Floor Structure

Tue, 27 Sep 2016 14:35:27 GMT

The first floor's structure and plank flooring is completed

Though these were both taken with my iPhone, they give you a pretty good idea of how the bottom floor will look when completed. These are called panoramic shots and they conveniently combine multiple images to create one larger scene. These images do our home's beauty a little more justice than multiple angles could.

Don't get me wrong, this place is still a mess, but it gets more beautiful everyday. With the foundation now level, the guys were able to finish the structure all the way through the kitchen. The house looks HUGE! They removed portions of the roof so they could begin laying the plank flooring. This is when things began to get a little bit stressful. Some bad weather could do a lot of damage and rain was in the forecast. The guys did their best to make sure that the flooring was not going to get wet, but mother nature prevailed. It rained so hard and long, that our floors got soaked the first night. Fortunately, we managed to allow them to dry without swelling. The 'mother nature versus weather barrier' proved to be a tricky game as the floors got wet a couple times. Each time, the guys managed to dry the floors without damage.

The guys got as far as they could with the plank flooring, but we have to get our stairway tree in place before they can do the rest. The crane will be coming tomorrow(Wednesday) to put the tree in place, I'm SO excited! To me, the tree is a milestone I have been excited for. It almost felt as though we would never be ready for it to be put in place, but we made it!

This is the opening that the tree will be coming in through, which meant the guys had to remove the dormer roof to make room. I have to say, I had never done time-lapse photography before, but I gave it a shot. Paul has a little geek-pro camera that we propped up on a tripod on top of the garage over looking the house. My goal was to get the entire removal in a time lapse, but the camera battery had other plans about halfway through so there is a small gap in coverage. Other than that, I am EXTREMELY happy with how cool this turned out to be!

To check out all of the images from the bottom floor, click here . The bottom floor's structure is now complete and we are ready for our tree. Continued support and shares are always appreciated. To me, this project is worth documenting. Be sure to like my Facebook page for continued progress on the home, as well as to support my small business which I hope to grow here in St J.

Four trucks, one excavator, six men and my camera

Sat, 17 Sep 2016 13:04:53 GMT

The excavation and process to properly seal and level our foundation

I'm going to start out with a huge- 'what a nightmare this was!' That's as honest as I can be about foundation issues. Ugh! Anyways, just wanted to throw a HUGE thank you to everyone out there who has shared this process or has commented with your kind thoughts, appreciation and even some design input. ;D If you are just joining our journey along this renovation project, be sure to start at the beginning to fully appreciate this home as much as we do. If you want to make sure you have read each step along the way, check out the full blog. If you are up to speed, this is what we just finished around the good ol' St J home.

The house was lifted by Paul & Stan to address some foundation issues, fix our drainage system and to level things out. The house was lifted under the current mudroom and portion of the kitchen to remove the cinder blocks that had shifted from many years of frost penetrating the foundation. We had an excavator dig up the area where water collected the most, the guys REALLY didn't want to dig the hole themselves. They also dug out and replaced the pipe that ran to our septic tank and even relocated my lilac tree. Fingers crossed for its fast recovery!

At the bottom of the deep(approximately five feet) hole, we found all that remained of our old drainage pipe. We actually didn't think there was any drainage pipe for most of the excavation because the pipe had been so badly deteriorated. It was only when Andy, the excavator operator, dropped a chunk of old 'pipe' and hollered out to let all of us know. It felt a little bit like old, layered tar paper. It had no chance to withstand mother nature. We used updated materials to replace the drainage system which should last at least a lifetime.

Once all of the digging was completed by the excavator, Paul and Stan were able to do the rest of the work they needed so they could continue building the rest of the house. They first completed a drainage system that would prevent the previous issues the home had with lack of drainage. After that, they painted the foundation wall with a water barrier. When the water barrier dried, it felt a lot like a swimming pool liner, so hopefully it will do its job. Finally, they laid down a foam board barrier that frost can't penetrate to avoid any more "shoving" of the foundation. With each step they completed, they pushed what the excavator had dug up, back in the hole with the Kubota tractor. That thing has proven really handy for this entire renovation process.

While the excavator was at the property and we already had a huge mess, we decided to make sure that the septic tank didn't need pumped too. The lid was heavy, but Paul managed to get it open with a little assistance from the excavator. We found that the tank actually looked pretty good despite being, well, a septic tank. I'm fairly certain this is the first time during this whole construction project(so far that is) that we didn't have to do more work than we were anticipating- we were fairly certain we were going to have to pump the tank. YAY for not being full of poop! :D I just can't get over this image below of all the guys standing around talking about 'crap' though! It gives me a good belly giggle!

With the foundation now taken care of, we can continue building the rest of the house. The guys will put the rest of the posts and beams in the kitchen and laundry room which will complete the bottom floor's structure. This process is a slow one, but every single time I go into my future home, I know with every cell in my body that this is worth it. This home is our future. Building a future doesn't happen over night, it takes hard work, dedication and desire to succeed. Paul and Stan are extremely tired- but they keep going. Their dedication to this renovation has been hard at times, it takes so much time away from our family. This is more than a full time job to them. They sometimes work seven days a week to ensure that we get the house to a good point before Vermont's harsh winter sneaks up on us. Sometimes I get frustrated with what feels like 'lack of help' from my husband, but I know how hard he is working along side his dad. I couldn't be prouder of how hard he is working to provide for our family. His 'lack of help' means we are getting a secure floor, a sound foundation and even a roof over our heads. It is amazing to me to see how much Paul takes after Stan(minus Stan's patience! ;P) Stan worked extremely hard to build the home that he and Bobbie raised their kids in. It's almost magical that they are now doing the same thing for us. Here is to giving credit where credit is due! I just take the pictures and document this- these are the real heroes of the operation. Thank you to Paul and Stan for all you do, I appreciate every single bit of it. I am so lucky to have you guys in my life.

To check out all of the images from the excavation process, including before and after images, click here and scroll to the excavation slideshow. The bottom floor's structure is almost complete. Once done, the guys can start laying the flooring on the second floor and start removing the roof to make room for the addition on the second floor. It really is starting to come together even though we still have so much work to do. Continued support and shares are appreciated. To me, this project is worth documenting to share. Be sure to like my Facebook page for continued progress on the home, as well as to support my small business which I hope to grow here in St J.

Posts & Beams

Wed, 07 Sep 2016 13:43:22 GMT

Starting the building after the demo storm

Our wood burning pile is(hopefully) as large as it is going to get. The entire house has been stripped in preparation for the renovation. The walls inside revealed that some of our home was most likely built with recycled, burned wood. The burned wood holds a story that I would love to hear, but my intentions are to keep the burned wood in our walls. We are going to salvage as much of it as possible and use it on either our bathroom wall or entry way. As much as possible, I'm going to keep the character in this home.

Paul and Stan have been very busy getting the posts and beams in place. They have been using an engine lift to place the beams. Each post and beam is notched not only for a seamless fit, but also for added strength. The house is looking so much bigger, not just because the walls are gone, but because the beams seem to go on forever. Its absolutely beautiful. I'm 100% mind blown at how hard these two men are working to rebuild the home that ultimately built them. A home that I will cherish for the next lifetime with my family.

The tree that we are using for the center of our stairs will go from floor to ceiling. There was enough tree to use the top part as another post in our kitchen. Its a special tree, I'll tell you more about it when I document the crane coming to put it in place. ;P

For the rest of the bottom floor(the kitchen and laundry room,) the foundation needs to be addressed first. I am currently documenting this process, so be sure to follow to see how the excavation goes. You can view more images of the posts & beams being put in here. As always, comments about your thoughts on this project are appreciated. The support we have received has been tremendous.

Deconstruction

Mon, 29 Aug 2016 19:23:26 GMT

No turning back- everything has been gutted.

When we first moved in, we had to remove the old window in the upstairs bedroom to get our beds in the house because the stairway was far to narrow. We updated all of our windows last fall with more energy efficient windows. This proved to be a problem when we went to remove the beds for the renovation because the windows were slightly smaller. This forced our first cuts on the house to be removed from the stairway. When they removed the first chunk of wall from the stairway, the excitement began to kick in. I could visualize the open floor plan I had been imagining since we decided to start this project. The overwhelming sensation of this being only the first step to a massive project kicked in shortly there after.

The pile of wood keeps getting taller and wider on what used to be my front lawn. I can't help but feel slightly overwhelmed by how much work actually needs to be done. Paul and Stan have been working extremely hard to remove all the lath boards and plaster from the home. Most of the debris were hauled off in a very full dumpster, but we decided to use what wood we could for burning. Our first fire proved just how important this home renovation really was. Paul piled the boards high in hopes of a lasting fire but we were in for a rude awakening. Once the pile of wood was lit, the flames swallowed all of the scraps in a matter of seconds. After a minute or so of intense burning and crackling, the wood was gone. We were both astonished that this was the same wood that had made up our home. If we had ever been caught in a house fire, I fear our family would not have had adequate time to get out of the house. There was very little insulation in the walls; they even found sawdust in the bathroom walls which was occasionally substituted for insulation "back in the day." When extremely dry wood and insulation meet old electrical, the hazards begin to add up. Once complete though, the house will be properly insulated and will have new wiring, allowing me to sleep more peacefully.

The more they removed from the home, the more I learned about the character it holds. Previous paint colors are being exposed, layers of wallpaper revealed and old exterior shingles uncovered. The border pictured above was hand painted on a few of our walls and the small bit of paper from 1912 was found in them. We also found out that our chimney was meant to remain covered- forever. Where the brick was not exposed, it was quickly and sloppily thrown together with over flowing mortar and uneven bricks. We were planning on leaving the chimney completely exposed, so now we are exploring the idea of covering the entire thing with ledge stone and building a stone hearth for the wood burner.

Everything is officially gutted. The entire second floor, stairway, kitchen, bathroom and walls are all gone. The house is an empty shell ready to be strengthened. To view the entire gutted home, view my slideshow . As always, comments and shares are greatly appreciated. This renovation has been a big part of our lives lately and has been very stressful, but very worth it. Be sure to follow my blog and Facebook page to keep up with the progress of our St Johnsbury home. If anyone has any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Pre-Demolition Storm

Tue, 23 Aug 2016 14:25:37 GMT

There was so much being removed from this house that we decided to get a dumpster. Our house has lath and plaster walls- they are extremely heavy and are weighing on the structure of the home. When we first moved into the home, we had no intentions of a complete renovation. Curiousity got the better of us though while we were trying to guess what might be under the terrible white ceiling tiles. Was there going to be big long beautiful posts and beams? or maybe we would be able to see the flooring for the upstairs bedroom? What was up there we wondered... Well, we decided to go ahead and rip it down to find out. It was nothing nice. There was more lath and plaster under the tiles. This too, had to go. It was a nightmare to remove- its extremely heavy, dusty and just happened to have absorbed a massive amount of rodent urine over the past 100 years or so. As we removed the lath and plaster, we were bombarded by rodent nests filled with disgusting fecal matter falling from the ceiling. Many trash cans full of this waste later, we finally exposed what was hiding under there- rodent chewed, ugly floor joists. That is when I decided that one day, we would remove all of the lath boards, plaster and most importantly to me- all of the rodent contamination.

It is kind of hard to vision an open floor plan with a larger kitchen in this home, but I believe it is possible. Our washer and dryer were in our kitchen, cooking became something of a game to try and keep the floating dryer lint out of our mashed potatoes. It was a pretty consistent occurrence that one of us would be doing the pee dance outside the bathroom door because we only had one- not to mention the struggle of my pregnant bladder making it down the stairs. That was another problem- the stairs. My father in law, Stan, recalls a couple trips down the stairs the hard way when he was a youngster because of their steepness and tight turn at the bottom. Carrying a laundry basket down these steps was a nightmare, especially once my baby bump started to really get in the way. This homes layout fits its age- smaller rooms with a closed layout, little kitchen and one small bathroom. I still have a hard time imagining how Ed and Ruth raised five boys here, her tight scheduling must have really come in handy!

Packing up everything in this house took entirely too long considering our deadline was the baby coming. We had the house empty and ready for demolition by June 10, 2016. Our son, Klyde, joined us June 24th. To view all of the pictures of the pre-demolition, view the slide show here. Be sure to follow to continue with the progress of our home, it will truly be an amazing place once its complete. I'm very fortunate to be able to document this process because we are so close- literally on the same property. As always, your comments, thoughts and shares are appreciated.

The Perfect Trees

Tue, 09 Aug 2016 19:01:51 GMT

The process for our posts and beams

We decided to go with Hemlock trees for the posts and beams in the home. The amount of work invested in just one post or beam can be overwhelming, but Paul and Stan came through and pulled it off. Finding straight, healthy trees was the easy part, the property has plenty to offer. Proper planning is vital. Knowing what sizes and how many trees needed avoids unnecessary work. All together, our home needed fourteen posts and ten beams. To achieve this goal, they cut down about six trees. Once cut down and cleaned up, the trees were dragged down to the lumber mill by the Kubota tractor.

The milling took several days with only a couple obstacles along the way. Each tree was milled and then cut to the proper length needed for the house. The mill works really smoothly, cutting the trees a lot like butter. The hardest part of the milling is the heavy lifting and prying used to get the trees in place. Once the bark was removed, the color of the lumber was exposed, it was beautiful.

The final step to get the posts and beams ready to be positioned was to plane them. This is a process in which the roughness in the grain of the wood is smoothed out by removing uniform shavings. The posts were able to be run through the jointer, but the beams were too large and had to be hand planed. Working together, Paul and Stan were able to have all of the posts and beams planed in just three short days.

The work involved with just prepping the lumber gives me a much greater appreciation for all the hard work these guys are putting into the home. I know once everything is completed that we will have a much more sound and sturdy home to raise our family in. Progress is slow, but it is progress. In the mean time, we are living with Pauls parents, Stan and Bobbie. They have been amazing in helping not only with the house, but also with new baby Klyde. Though things get pretty hectic around here with four adults, two kids(one new born,) four dogs, two rats, two snakes and a chameleon, I couldn't be more grateful. We are exactly where we are intended to be and I wouldn't have it any other way. As our home comes together, I can't help but visualize raising my kids there and growing old by my husband's side. This house is proving to be more than just a place to live, but its a place I intend on calling my forever home.

I will continue to document this renovation for those of you who are interested in following. The pictures of the home before the demolition was started will be the next post, so be sure to follow to not miss any of this on-going renovation. To see all of the images from this, please click here. Any feed back is greatly appreciated, I really hope that everyone is enjoying following this progress as much as I enjoy documenting it.

The love story behind this old home

Fri, 05 Aug 2016 20:43:01 GMT

How our St Johnsbury old home came into our lives.

Some of you may know and some of you may not, but we are renovating our home in St Johnsbury Vermont. This isn't just any old home, it's an old home with a beautiful love story. The story and history behind this home could go on for days, but the main point is how much their love story has inspired the character and hard work going into this gut job. Ed and Ruth Crane grew old together in this home, celebrating a whopping sixty-eight anniversaries together under it's roof. Sixty-eight years worth of memories. Beautiful.

Knowing each other since they were children, Ed and Ruth had spent a lot of time together growing up. When Ed deployed to Italy during WW2, Ruth maintained contact with him through writing letters to him on a regular basis. After four long years of faithful service with the Army AirCorps, Ed returned and went separate ways from the military. They were married shortly there after and made the investment of a whopping $5,000 in a larger piece of land with a quaint little home on it in 1946. This is where the real story comes in, the life they built together in this old home.

The investment they made paid off big- in way more ways than one. The farm proved wonderful for blessing them with plenty of bounty. They worked extremely hard to run a chicken farm while producing enough goods from the land to provide for their family. He knew fruits, vegetables and trees. She knew the wildlife, flowers and the weather that surrounded them. Together, they were able to find the perfect combination of skills to provide for their rapidly growing family. Over an eight year period, they had five wonderful boys. The home only has one bathroom, so I'd imagine it got rather cramped at times. With limited space, they made the best of it with Ruth's extremely organized manner. Meals were scheduled, shower time was allotted and chores were a shared responsibility. Over the years, they made minor adjustments to the house to accommodate their lives. Probably the most profound change they made(probably Ruth's favorite too) was upgrading her wood burning stove she used to cook on to an electric stove and then to a full kitchen in the 70's.

As time went on and the boys got older, they did away with the chickens. Ed and Ruth became extremely involved with their community. Ed was part of the state legislature for 17 years while Ruth volunteered at the museum. As time went on, she was hired on as a full time staff member(her organizational skills came in handy for this one.) Through the years, they accomplished many things under this old home's roof together. The greatest accomplishment in my eyes is the legacy they left to be carried on. Their family(*photo credit to Peter Crane.) Still missing a lot of family in California.

'Poppy and Grammy' moved into the Saint Johnsbury Health and Rehab clinic in 2014. Sixty. Eight... Sixty-eight beautiful, loved filled years under one old roof. <3 They lived happily together for almost two more years before Grammy sadly passed away this past May. Poppy is still doing well despite really missing Ruth. He still cracks some pretty good jokes and maintains his desire for dessert.

My husband- Paul, daughter- Kadynce and I moved into this old home in 2015 after Paul separated from the Marine Corps. We found out we were pregnant four months later with baby boy Klyde, born June 24, 2016. I'm noticing some trends... But I love the trends this family has.

We decided while we were still pregnant that the house needed some SERIOUS work. Paul's dad/ Ed's son, Stan, agreed to help Paul take on this HUGE project. It's not Stans first rodeo though, he built the home Paul and his sister Becky grew up in down in Etna, NH. Now they are taking on the house that Stan and his four brothers grew up in. This will be an ongoing documentation of the rehabilitation of this old home.

I'd love to hear your feed back on this project as well as any memories the family would like to share that took place in this old home. Feel free to share with anyone who might be interested in following the progress of this project: This Old Home.